Sea pollutions

    Water pollution is a problem that effects all living things. Every living organism on the earth needs water to survive. When the water is polluted, it not only effects the plants and animals, it harms people. Taking care of this planet's water is very important to the short term and long term survival of living things. The oceans are constantly being polluted by individuals and many industries. These waters must be cleaned up before the costs are too great and the damages beyond repair. Action to clean up the Earth's water supply is long over due. People in all countries must begin to take action. Plans must be made to rid the waters of pollution, and prevent any further destruction of the only source of water that the earth has. The actions taken will not only make the planet safer and cleaner for now, but for generations to come.
    For years, the world has thought the oceans are much too big to be effected by human action. The idea that the ocean is indestructible has met its end. Peter Weber a Research Associate at the Worldwatch Institute says, "Today, with technologies that allow us to penetrate the salt water depths, we have discovered that despite their size and imperturbable appearance, the oceans are vulnerable to the same unsustainable trends that are degrading the terrestrial environment.". The oceans are one of the most important natural resources on the planet. Many plants, fish, and mammals have made the ocean their home. Much of the world's human population depends a great deal on the ocean for their own food or to make a living. Because of the importance for the ocean, it must be taken care of to insure a future for a clean planet. Right now, the oceans are facing destruction. Each day new pollutants find their way into the ocean's waters. The pollutants that contaminate the ocean take many forms. Each year millions of gallons of oil are put into the ocean. Toxic materials are dumped into the oceans and add up to deadly proportions. Tons of trash such as plastics and paper are pulled out of the ocean each day. This trash contaminates the water and causes many deaths of marine animals.
    Everyone on the planet has polluted the oceans one way or another. Factories that are in various industries make an enormous contribution to ocean pollution. These factories use unbelievable amounts of water to make their products. The Natural Resource Defense Council says, "More than four out of every ten gallons of water used in the US are used for industrial purposes." A large amount of this water is dumped back into the oceans. This water is usually not clean, and may contain thousands of different chemicals. When this happens it can kill marine life, contaminate food supplies, and endanger people who use waters for fishing, swimming, or drinking. Water is also dumped back into the oceans by power plants who use it to cool reactors. This water is placed back into the oceans at high temperatures. Dumping water at these high temperatures causes a disruption in the marine environment. According to the book by Peter Weber, "The water from power plants kills coral and other temperature related species." Many harmful airborne particles also pollute oceans. Exhaust from cars and factories, and chemicals like pesticides are carried into the atmosphere through vaporization. When it rains, many of these chemicals fall into the ocean. H.L. Windom says, "Up to 25% of the annual DDT production was rained out into the worlds oceans." One of the most harmful pollutants is oil. Gallons and gallons of oil are dumped, leaked, or seeped into the ocean each year.
    Contaminating the oceans will damage every living thing in one way or another. Deadly chemicals and radioactive materials get into the oceans and cause serious damages. One of the most deadly of all the toxins that enter the ocean is oil. According to the Worldwatch institute, "Low-level oil contamination can kill larvae and cause disease in marine life." The oil can coat marine animals and cause death. Many animals also ingest the oil. Marine life is effected by all of the pollutants, not just oil. For instance plastics are also a big killer of marine life. Researcher, Peter Weber, claims that, "Plastics entangle marine life or is mistaken as food." According to Dwight Holing, "Areas with chemical contamination, fish and shellfish have developed genetic defects such as chemical burns and tumors, and bottom-dwellers are showing fin erosion and cancer." Farming and mining all contribute to the dumping of sediment into the ocean. Peter Weber states, "Sediments that make their way into the ocean can cloud the water and prevent photosynthesis, clog the gills of fish, and carry toxins that poison fish and other marine life." People also suffer from pollution. Beaches are frequently closed due to high levels of bacteria contamination from sewage and from medical wastes that wash up to shore. Sewage and waste from livestock can contaminate seafood and cause many diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Although scientists do not know the effects of radioactive material on marine life, the potential effects are frightening.
    Many years ago people would never have thought that the ocean would ever need saving. People would wonder how something so big could ever be effected by their own actions. There are many ways to begin to clean up the oceans. From individual action to government action. Some suggestions are to use biodegradable detergents and shampoos, avoid using and disposing plastics and styrofoam, do not pour hazardous chemicals down the drain, and to recycle old motor oil. Also people need to push the government for action. According to Oceans Day, "Having beach seeps, eco-regattas, youth projects, exhibits, concerts, research, and conferences will help to get the word out." Not any one plan will save the oceans. The problem must be attacked at all levels. The government must take action, the companies must take action, and individuals must take action.
    Cleaning the oceans would mean a healthier planet. Having healthier seafood will make healthier people. Clean oceans give people a good place for recreation. The fact of cleaning and monitoring the oceans will provide many new jobs. The main reason people do not clean the oceans is because of the cost. The oceans do not appear to be in immediate threat, but if the world waits to long to take action, the cost to clean up the ocean could be a lot more. So even though it may sound expensive, it will be a lot cheaper in the long run. It is the responsibility of every person on the planet to take care of the earth and its resources for ourselves and the future generations to come.

A night of mystery

   Spots of lights from the towering flats framed the neighbourhood's night landscape with a subtle glow. The dissonance of bustling traffic soon slowed to a dwindle. The chill night air stung my cheeks pink. I rubbed my numbed fingers and my toes curled in the comfort of my thick woollen socks. I glanced at my watch for the hundredth time. Almost eleven. Not wanting to miss the last bus, I dashed to a bus stop which held across the road. Ten minutes later, the entire sky was momentarily illuminated by the flash of lightning. Soon, rain came crashing down in torrents. In a distance, the trees swayed and danced to the tune of the wind.
   Before I noticed, a bus stopped in front me. However, the driver refused to drive in as I was his last passenger. At the moment, white flecks of spit flew out of my mouth as anger rose in me at an alarming rate. Only at that point, I realised that I would have to walk in at least three miles into my housing area. To add to my unfortunate situation I was in, I had to walk along a lonely stretch of road which included a park and an old Muslim cemetery! Well, it was no use lamenting. Hence, I buttoned up my jacket and started walking briskly down the lane.
   Up above, thick purplish clouds fitted across the raven black sky splitting the slender crescent moon into halves. Walking along the deserted road, I felt the soft breeze blowing around me giving the air a tint freshness. The foliage of leaves on the tree tops rustled and whispered in the wind. The huge, shady trees at the park loomed in darkness. I had reached the playground. Strangely, I had a distinct feeling of being watched. In the distance, dogs were howling sadly to each other and I could hear the crickets singing in a melancholic tune.
    I increased my speed. Cold sweat dripped from my forehead. In spite of the fear that had begun tugging at my heart, I remained calm. The atmosphere had become really silent, except for the sound of my heart beating fast. Soon, I reached a large bamboo tree. The cemetery was coming into sight! I looked ahead. My vision became blurry and in moments, I saw mists forming in the air. Immediately grandma's stories at the kampung came to my mind. Villagers there believed that, at the bamboo tree, the spirit of a dead, pregnant woman lived on. She would prey on unsuspecting and helpless men, often appearing in the form of an angelic looking young woman. Usually, her presence would be preceded by mists!
    I shut my eyes tightly. My whole body was trembling and I wanted to faint. Then, I read aloud, whatever versus from the 'Bible' that I could remember. How ridiculous this was! Suddenly I scolded myself. There was absolutely nothing out there, just my own creative imagination running wild. Besides, I was not going to let myself to be the subject of my friends' ridicule and taunting any more. Even if there was a vampire and she looked something like Jennifer Lopez, I would gladly welcome her company.
    Before the words left my mind, the smell of jasmine filled the air. Such an empowering fragrance it was, enveloping the night with its delicate sweetness. Oh boy! I thought desperately, now, I'm really going to get it. Suddenly, I heard a thumping noise which coming from the cemetery not far ahead. Walking cautiously towards the noise, coming into view was the silhouette of a man. I could not see him clearly but he appeared to be working with a chisel and hammer, the sound of hammering ringing clearly in the silence of the night.
    The man stopped working and called out to me, "Hello son! Where are you off to so late at this hour?" Upon hearing his voice, I visibly relaxed. The voice of another human being was such a relief that I almost jumped up with joy. "Hello Pakcik, working overtime hah?"  I asked him, wiping the sweat from my brows. My shirt was drenched with sweat. "You shouldn't walk alone like this, it's not safe," the old man said to me. Then he continued hammering. "I know, I was already late. The bus did not want to come in," I told him. "You know Pakcik, I'm so glad to see you. I was so frightened out there, you know, all the stories," I said again. "How come you are still working?" I repeated my question.
    He stopped and turned towards me. "Oh......actually I live around here. You see, they wrote my name wrongly," he said, pointing to the tombstone of the grave he was standing on. "So, I came to correct it. Want to help me?" he said smiling at me, his yellow teeth, gleaming under the moon light.............

Popular girl in school

   Being a form one student in secondary school makes me feel so small, both in size and in personality. When I walk pass, people do not seem to notice me especially the mush older students. I have not always been invisible like this. Last year when I was still in primary six, I was a committee member of the prefect board that made the younger students hold a high opinion of me and listen to what I have to say. Now, no one does.
   I am afraid of the form five girls. I do not normally want to cross their paths for they could be very nasty to us younger girls in the school. So I would only go out of the classroom when the coast is clear.
   I go to a prestigious all girls' school in the capital city and as expected, competition is stiff where good looks and social status are concerned. Everyone seems to want to outdo the other. However, among all the students in the school, I believe Emily a senior in Form Five, is the prettiest and the most popular.
   When at the school canteen during recess Emily clearly stand head and shoulders above the rest because of her natural brown curly hair. I was told by one of my closest friends that her father is Scottish. She is also blue-blooded as her mother belongs to the royal family from a state in the north. That explains the huge black car that would religiously wait for her at the school front gate everyday after school. Emily is one of the lucky few who do not have to deal with teenage acne as she has extremely smooth and clear complexion. You can see that almost everyone in school is blown away by her beauty and never fail to steal a glance or gawk outright at her when she is around.
    Nevertheless, to my surprise, not everyone holds a high opinion of Emily. One of my friends said that Emily is really conceited because being the privileged position that she is in she likes to looks down on others  without really thinking, I tool my friend's word for it. My opinion about Emily remained the same until one day, Emily actually came to my rescue. It was a Monday morning and I had arrived late to school. I suddenly realised that I in my haste had left my school tie at home. I knew I would be reprimanded for it because the school tie is a must on Mondays. I was close to tears when Emily came up to me and handed me her tie. I said I couldn't possibly accept it as then she would be scolded by the other prefects. As she put her tie around my neck with a smile she said,"You need it more than I do." Only then I realise why Emily is put on the pedestal even by the teachers. It is because she has a good-hearted! I felt really silly for believing what my friend had said about Emily. As the saying goes, we should never judge a book by it's cover.

    

Memories

   I glared anxiously at the overcast sky, dark and gloomy, the gale of wind howling like a banshee. My heart was filled with worries and some sort of fright which I could not explain. It might be the rain, I sighed. Not wanting to be drenched in the heavy downpour, I dashed towards an old shack across the road. Seconds after arriving at the humble shelter, the entire sky was momentarily illuminated by the flash of lightning. Soon, rain came crashing down in torrents. The wind howled furiously and the old shack trembled and creaked, its roof shaking violently due to the nature's fury.
   I held on bravely, barely able to save myself from becoming completely drenched. As I stood there, watching the raindrops bouncing as thousands of silver rod, steams of muddy water flowed endlessly on the road. In a distance, trees swayed and danced to the tune of the wind. My mind began to wander to far away places, to a time long ago where life was simple yet blissful. I looked around the old shack. Many years before, it used to be a little candy store, where children of all ages paid their visits. Madam Money, a septuagenarian owned it. She was generous and amiable, always with a pleasant smile on her wrinkled face. I remember running there after school, to grab the candies, stick ice and the local cakes she sold. Now that she was gone, the shop was abandoned together with all the memories surrounding it.
   I glanced at my wrist watch and noticed it was quite late, I knew my mother's face will scowled in infuriation and would give me a lengthy lecture on punctuality when I had gone back home. As I was walking back, I remembered my mother, she was no longer the same woman she used to be, youthful, vibrant, optimistic and always with this amazing zest for life. The rain had been responsible for robbing away her happiness, in fact our happiness.
   It was two years ago, I remembered my father became a victim of a severe respiratory malady, asthma. The rolling thunder was like cymbals, clanging and clapping for 48 hours. The chillness caused severe asthma attack. Unfortunately, his Ventolin inhaler was empty and my mother prepared herself to pay a visit to the pharmacy.
   However, she left and came back as there was a massive flood due to a heavy shower. We panicked when father became unconscious and his face turned blue due to the lack of oxygen in his body. I could hear my mother's shrill scream as she was unable to make my father breathe. I felt my father's hand which held my little fingers slowly losing its grip. My father is then struggled and opened his mouth slightly and exhaled his last breath. My mother hugged me and cried. "He is only 32, too young to die. How did he have the heart to leave behind an angel like you?" Tears were rolling down her cheeks and I asked myself why it had to be rain that caused my father's demise. I knew that it would haunt me for the rest of my life.